Coccomonas Stein, 1878

Holotype species: Coccomonas orbicularis F.Stein

Original publication and holotype designation: Stein, F. von (1878). Der Organismus der Infusionsthiere nach eigenen forschungen in systematischere Reihenfolge bearbeitet. III. Abtheilung. Die Naturgeschichte der Flagellaten oder Geisselinfusorien. I. Hälfte, Den noch nicht abgeschlossenen allgemeinen Theil nebst erklärung: Der sämmtlichen Abbildungen enthaltend. pp. i-x, 1-154, pls I-XXIV. Leipzig: Verlag von Wilhelm Engelmann.

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Description: Unicellular, biflagellate and uninucleate algae with protoplasts contained in a lorica of variable form which lacks extended processes. Lorica may be slightly compressed, impregnated with lime and iron compounds, the latter producing a brown lorica and often obscuring the protoplast. Surface of lorica may bear incrustations of lime producing a scrobiculate or otherwise sculpted appearance. Flagella anterior and emerging from a common opening in the lorica. Protoplast usually ovoid or ellipsoid and not completely filling lorica. Chloroplast principally cup-shaped with basal pyrenoid; stigmapresent or absent. Two contractile vacuoles present near base of flagella. Asexual reproduction by division into 4 daughter cells which are released subsequent to fragmentation of mother cell lorica. Sexual reproduction unknown.

Information contributed by: G.E. Dillard. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2024-02-19 by E.A. Molinari Novoa.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Pentecost, A. (2002). Order Volvocales. In: The Freshwater Algal Flora of the British Isles. An identification guide to freshwater and terrestrial algae. (John, D.M., Whitton, B.A. & Brook, A.J. Eds), pp. 303-327. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Comments: Coccomonas species cosmopolitan in distribution and frequently encountered in freshwater phytoplankton, although rarely observed in abundance. Seven species of Coccomonas are well described. They are differentiated based on the extent to which the lorica is compressed, if at all, the shape of the lorica, the form of the lorica base, and the nature of ornamentation of the lorica (see Ettl 1983a for descriptions and figures). Two additional species were described from Manchuria by Skvortsov (1927). Though poorly described, they are probably conspecific with C. orbicularis F.Stein.

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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=44224

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
E.A. Molinari Novoa in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 19 February 2024. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 29 March 2024

 
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